False Promises, Real Consequences: What “Artist-Centric” Really Means

“Artist-centric” was supposed to be a breakthrough. Instead, it’s become a buzzword masking a deeper fracture in the music economy. As DSPs roll out new monetization models that claim to favor “real artists,” the reality for most independent creators is stark: shrinking revenues, rising thresholds, and algorithms that reward the loudest, not the most original.

This panel dissects the doublespeak of the new streaming economy — where promises of fairness coexist with policies that sideline diversity, new voices, and regional innovation. We’ll examine how these models are redefining value, who gets left out of the payout structure, and how power is consolidating behind gatekeepers who now control not just what gets played, but who gets paid.

Is the “artist-centric” future actually artist-friendly — or just market-friendly? Is it rewarding success... or just institutionalizing it?

This is where policy meets platform. Where culture meets code. And where independent music decides whether to fight back or fade into the algorithm.

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